Matt Firor Leaves ZeniMax Over Microsoft Layoffs

Normally, You would think companies like ZeniMax are safe from big changes. Basically, Matt Firor, the guy who used to be in charge of The Elder Scrolls Online, just left ZeniMax Online Studios because of Microsoft’s layoffs. Apparently, this happened in July 2025, and it was a pretty big deal.
Generally, people like Firor do not just leave their jobs, but he did, and it was because of the project cancellations, including Project Blackbird. Obviously, this project was important to Firor, and he had been working on it for a long time.
Actually, Firor had been with the company for almost twenty years, which is a pretty long time. Usually, when someone leaves a company after that long, it is because they are retiring or something, but not in this case.
Actually, the reason he left was because Microsoft cancelled a bunch of projects, including the one he was working on. Actually, this is not surprising, since Microsoft laid off a lot of people in July 2025.
Actually, around 9,000 employees were let go, which is a lot of people. Normally, when a company lays off that many people, it is because they are trying to save money or something.

Former Elder Scrolls Online Chief Leaves ZeniMax Over Microsoft’s 2025 Layoffs

Honestly, the layoffs at Microsoft were pretty big news, and a lot of people were affected. Basically, the Xbox division was hit pretty hard, and a lot of projects were cancelled.
Normally, when a project gets cancelled, it is because it was not going well or something, but that was not the case with Project Blackbird. Actually, it was a pretty highly anticipated game, and a lot of people were looking forward to it.
Obviously, Firor was pretty disappointed when he found out the project was being cancelled. Generally, when someone works on a project for a long time, they get pretty attached to it.

Microsoft’s 2025 Layoffs

Apparently, the layoffs at Microsoft were not just limited to the Xbox division. Normally, when a company lays off people, it is just in one area, but not in this case.
Actually, a lot of different projects were affected, including some that were still in development. Usually, when a project is still in development, it is because it is not ready yet, but Microsoft just cancelled them anyway.
Normally, when a company cancels a project, they try to find a way to save it or something, but not in this case. Actually, Microsoft just decided to cut their losses and move on.

Project Blackbird – A Lost Dream

Generally, when someone works on a project for a long time, they get pretty invested in it. Obviously, Firor was pretty invested in Project Blackbird, and he was pretty disappointed when it got cancelled.
Actually, he even said it was the game he had been waiting his entire career to create. Normally, when someone says something like that, it is because they are really passionate about the project.
Apparently, Firor was not the only one who was affected by the cancellation of Project Blackbird. Usually, when a project gets cancelled, the people who were working on it are pretty disappointed.

Current Involvement and Future Plans

Honestly, Firor is not really doing much right now. Normally, when someone leaves a company, they try to find a new job or something, but not in this case.
Actually, he is just kind of taking it easy and figuring out what he wants to do next. Usually, when someone is in a situation like this, they try to take some time to think about their options.
Apparently, Firor is also giving some advice to some of the people who used to work with him. Normally, when someone leaves a company, they try to help out their former colleagues or something.

Morale at ZeniMax Post‑Layoff

Generally, when a company has layoffs, the morale of the employees who are left is pretty low. Obviously, this is the case at ZeniMax right now.
Actually, one of the employees even said that the studio is like a “carcass of workers” or something. Normally, when someone says something like that, it is because they are really unhappy with the situation.
Apparently, the layoffs at Microsoft have had a pretty big impact on the gaming industry. Usually, when a big company like Microsoft has layoffs, it affects a lot of people.

Leadership Assurance

Normally, when a company has layoffs, the leaders try to reassure the employees who are left that everything will be okay. Obviously, this is what is happening at ZeniMax right now.
Actually, the new head of ZeniMax said that The Elder Scrolls Online is not going anywhere. Usually, when someone says something like that, it is because they are trying to reassure people.
Apparently, the overall atmosphere at the studio is still pretty uncertain, though. Generally, when a company has layoffs, it takes a while for things to get back to normal.

Industry Impact

Honestly, the impact of Microsoft’s layoffs on the gaming industry is pretty big. Normally, when a big company like Microsoft has layoffs, it affects a lot of people.
Actually, Firor’s departure from ZeniMax is just one example of how the layoffs have affected the industry. Usually, when someone like Firor leaves a company, it is because they are moving on to something new or something.
Apparently, Firor is just taking some time to figure out what he wants to do next. Normally, when someone is in a situation like this, they try to take some time to think about their options.